A blog about world and global music from a guy who co-hosts the KUNM Global Music Show, 89.9 FM Albuquerque/Santa Fe, http://www.kunm.org. I post one song a day, with reflections on the music, life, and whatever else comes into my mind.

Sunday, October 18, 2015

It's Only a Flesh Wound: King Fighter and "He No Dead Yet"

Today's song comes from King Fighter, a legendary calypso musician from Guyana. The stage name of Shurland Wilson, he got his performing name because he had been a boxer known for fancy footwork before starting his music career. He began by singing boleros and love songs before switching to calypso, where he made his name. He made a number of records in the 1950s and 60s which were released in the Caribbean and in Great Britain. King Fighter passed away in 1999 in Grenada, but as this song attests, because of his music...he no dead yet. He No Dead Yet can be found on the Smithsonian Folkways 2000 release Calypso Awakening.